KC Reporter

A Kansas City man received a federal prison sentence for drug and firearm offenses. Keith T. Mims, 54, also known as "C-Murder," was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months without parole by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs. Mims's sentence reflects his status as a career offender due to prior felony convictions.

On May 30, 2024, Mims admitted guilt to charges of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.

The incident leading to Mims's arrest occurred on January 25, 2022, when St. Joseph police officers approached him on Belle Street in St. Joseph. Mims fled but was apprehended after a brief chase. Officers found a loaded Bryco Arms .22-caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number in his possession and discovered drugs in his bag, including methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and pills.

Mims acknowledged knowing that his possession of a firearm was illegal due to previous felonies but claimed he needed it for protection, expressing that he would "rather be judged by twelve than carried by six."

Court documents reveal Mims's history of convictions related to firearms and narcotics trafficking, noting that he has spent much of the past 35 years incarcerated or under legal supervision.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth W. Borgnino and Stephanie C. Bradshaw. The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with police departments from St. Joseph and Sugar Creek.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement efforts.